Non Punjabi Sikhs

[rrss]

Good article http://www.searchsikhism.com/si1.html

Non Punjabi Sikhs face a lot of discrimination from day 1, especially if they're of another race.

Please read the article by a Sikh sister in America who discusses the challenges that their family have faced and suggestions for improvements.

One thing that struck a chord with me is how much Punjab culture oriented Gurdwaras are, most people gossip about Punjabi affairs, complain about Muslims converting their daughters, complain about disliked sects and their leaders, few praise the lord God. There is no interest to engage with people , discuss spirituality, discuss Sikhi etc. People are generally not very friendly and indeed stare at you if you look out of place. If you went to a normal Church they have a close knit community, people are very friendly, even to newcomers and casual visitors from other faiths. Families take you into their home, they praise their prophet and God regularly. I have more meaningful conversations about God with someone from another faith than with anyone from the Gurdwara. And what's with referring to people by the colour of their skin? When trying to refer to a man whose name I had forgotten, I referred to him by the unusual colour of his turban, the other party exclaimed, oh you mean the `gora `. Also why only speak out for atrocities committed against Punjabi Sikhs? We have a righteous duty to protect the weak and vulnerable from tyrants and oppressors especially those who are not Sikh. I don't see much gurdwara collections being spent uplifting poor non sikhs in Bihar or Sierra Leone from poverty, nor do I hear many Punjabi Sikhs rallying support for genocide victims in Africa. There is much more but I don't want to make this a rant. Do read the article linked above , its not an attack on Punjabis, just a humble request from an amritdhari sister to reflect on the situation.

Guru Nanak ji engaged with people from all backgrounds during his travels. Sikhism does not belong to Punjab, Gods message is for everyone. God loves all, black white brown ,yellow purple or pink.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh

[HSD2]

To be frank I couldnt give a monkeys if she found it hard to appropriate the Sikh faith. Life for Sikhs in the West isnt a Disneyland fairytale. I dont go round giving lists to white/black people on how I should be treated.

If she wants to stop genocide in Africa, I'll send her some money to buy an AK47 and she can go over there and do something about it. Arent Amritdhari Sikhs meant to be SantSipahi all the time? Dont think that Punjabi Sikhs havent noticed how recent converts couldnt give a damn about South Asian human rights issues. People from Anglo-Saxon/Western backgrounds have a hard time coping with the idea that their effect on their colonies was anything but benign. They also have an idealised view of India of being a poor backward country constantly needing outsiders to come and do some charity so that the Westerner can feel good about themselves. Yeah, not buying it.

I dont know what non-Sikhs expect when they go to the Gurudwara...smiling happy clappy brown folk doing cartwheels so that the newcomers can get over their own insecurity and ego? I get stares from other Sikhs when I go to the Gurudwara, everyone does, staring isnt such a big thing to South Asians as it is to others.

Can we move onto some real issues.

[singh135]

Man, hsd2 is really bigotted....damn

[HSD2]

Man, hsd2 is really bigotted....damn

Bigotted is going to a Gurudwara and then writing what looks like a restaurant review and putting it on the internet.

You may not see the bigger issues, or even the personal ones, but I cant help it.

Before slandering please provide examples too.

[singh135]

The example was your comment

[HSD2]

The example was your comment

I suggest you buy a dictionary to learn what words mean before you use them.

[singh135]

Which words are you referring to? I know what bigot means unfortunately.

[TheFancyBanana]

Dudes stop fighting. There’s a gora singh from Estonia at the local gurdwara. No one gives him looks. No one stares. And anyway he doesn't notice. Shouldn't we be focusing on katha/kirtan in the darbar rather than who’s looking at me or looking at others? People at my local gurdwara don't give a monkeys to non-Sikhs coming. They sit in langar like everyone else. Simple.

However, in America (I'm just guessing) Sikhs are used to be being looked at outside the gurdwara so maybe are a bit weary to see a non-sikh in the gurdwara. Obviously gurdware will be built in areas where there are Sikhs. Why would you build one across town if there are no Sikhs there? But really how many non-sikhs have you lot seen go and sit in darbar hall? I've not seen any. If they want help why don't they just ask? Besides how many non-punjabi speaking people are there at a gurdwara on weekdays? Maybe this penji has just been unlucky and been to a gurdwara where people are unfriendly. This is really wrong if they were and they should sort themselves out.

[HSD2]

Which words are you referring to? I know what bigot means unfortunately.

I'm sure you do.

[N30S1NGH]

She is quite right in her assertions- punjabi tribalism have super imposed its influence on sikhi and it cannot be ignored, whether we like it or not or believe it or not..!!..once we realize what the problem is then we can look for solutions....Beside shared cultural significance, respect for elders, modest clothing etc -punjabi tribalism have nothing positive to offer to sikhi except self righteous, self loathing, self praising, self absorbed, self policing, self entitled, self privileged attitudes coming from punjabis. We are always on our high horse, walk around with entitlement, we except world to look at our problems only.

Newer generation sikhs which are not effected with group-jatha/samparda's/organization hyper attachment are finally realizing that people other than sikhs do exist in this world and are finally realizing that Khalsa job is to serve the whole humanity rather than our own punjabi tribal lot, they are finally realizing - tat meaning of khalsa set by sri guru gobind singh maharaj.

Recently Sikh activist network did amazing job of showing support of first nation indians here in Canada who are also fighting for their rights. They truly showed by their actions- khalsa represent all oppressed minorities not just their own. Thats is true khalsa way and true way to win public opinion of masses. Khalsa is there to serve humanity not there to serve community own tribalism..!!!!!!